Method and device with intelligent media management

ABSTRACT

A method ( 300 ) and device ( 200 ) with intelligent media management is disclosed. The method ( 300 ) can include: streaming ( 310 ) media content in a wireless communication device; identifying ( 320 ) a media signature of the streamed media content; searching ( 330 ) a stored library for the identified media signature; and playing ( 340 ) locally stored media content, if the search results in finding a match with the identified media signature in the stored library. Thus, when a match occurs, locally stored media content replaces the streamed media content, to provide substantially lower power consumption and enhanced battery life in connection with wireless communication devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/327,257, filed Dec. 15, 2011, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present disclosure relates to a method and device with intelligentmedia management.

2. Introduction

As background, many wireless communication devices, such as smart phonesand tablets, can barely get through a day on a single charge with normaluse. With high use, or if the user cannot charge a wirelesscommunication device at the end of the day, then a user will be leftwith a dead battery, resulting in a non-operational wirelesscommunication device.

Power drain of a wireless communication device can be excessive whenstreaming media content, such as online audio and video content.

Pandora is a popular software application (App), available on a numberof different mobile device operating systems including Windows andAndroid. Within this application, a user is able to “stream” desiredmusic content to their mobile wireless communication device, such asE-reader, cell phone, automobile player, tablet and MP3 and MP4 players.

Shazam is another popular software application, also available on anumber of different operating system (OS) platforms. Upon execution,Shazam prompts a user to direct a device microphone towards a source ofmusic content. After “listening” for a short period of time, the song isanalyzed (via a “fingerprinting” process, as identified by Wikipedia)and identified. The name of the song and musician is then made availableto the user.

It would be considered an improvement in the art, if a wirelesscommunication device with intelligent media management, could help tominimize or reduce power drain when consuming media, and particularlystreaming media content.

It would be considered an improvement in the art, if wirelesscommunication devices such as cell phones, tablets, Ipads, Ipods, MP3audio players and MP4 video players, could play locally stored mediacontent, directly from its local memory, if available in local memory orlocal library, rather than stream media content from a media contentprovider.

This replacing of streaming media content with locally stored mediacontent could provide an enhancement in minimizing power drain by virtueof eliminating the current drain associated with the file streamingactivity.

There is a need for methods and devices with intelligent mediamanagement, to better manage media and power drain in a wirelesscommunication device.

It would be considered an improvement in the art, if wirelesscommunication method and devices with enhanced media management weredeveloped.

Thus, a method and device with intelligent media management thataddresses these needs, would be considered an improvement in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the disclosure briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a communication system accordingto one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication devicewith intelligent media management according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication methodwith intelligent media management according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram of a system 100 according to oneembodiment. The system 100 can include a network 110, a terminal 120,and a base station 130. The terminal 120 may be a wireless communicationdevice, such as a wireless telephone, a cellular telephone, a personaldigital assistant, a pager, a personal computer, a tablet, a selectivecall receiver, or any other device that is capable of sending andreceiving communication signals on a network including a wirelessnetwork. The network 110 may include any type of network that is capableof sending and receiving signals, such as wireless signals. For example,the network 110 may include a wireless telecommunications network, acellular telephone network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, Global Systemfor Mobile Communications (GSM), a Third Generation (3G) network, aFourth Generation (4G) network, a satellite communications network, andother like communications systems. More generally, network 110 mayinclude a Wide Area Network (WAN), a Local Area Network (LAN) and/or aPersonal Area Network (PAN). Furthermore, the network 110 may includemore than one network and may include a plurality of different types ofnetworks. Thus, the network 110 may include a plurality of datanetworks, a plurality of telecommunications networks, a combination ofdata and telecommunications networks and other like communicationsystems capable of sending and receiving communication signals. Inoperation, the terminal 120 can communicate with the network 110 andwith other devices on the network 110 by sending and receiving wirelesssignals via the base station 130, which may also comprise local area,and/or personal area access points. The terminal 120 is shown being incommunication with a global positioning system (GPS) 140 satellite,global navigation satellite system (GNSS) or the like, for positionsensing and determination.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary block diagram of a wireless communication device200 configured with an energy storage device, battery or module 205,such as in the terminal 120, for example. The wireless communicationdevice 200 can include a housing 210, a controller 220 coupled to thehousing 210, audio input and output circuitry 230 coupled to the housing210, a display 240 coupled to the housing 210, a transceiver 250 coupledto the housing 210, a user interface 260 coupled to the housing 210, amemory 270 coupled to the housing 210, an antenna 280 coupled to thehousing 210 and the transceiver 250, and a removable subscriber module285 coupled to the controller 220.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communication device 200 furtherincludes a media manager (MM) module 290 configured to: identify a mediasignature of the media content; search a locally stored library for theidentified media signature; and play locally stored media content, ifthe search results in finding a match with the identified mediasignature in the locally stored library. The MM module 290 can include amemory 292 and a processor 294. Advantageously, the MM module 290 canhelp to improve management of media content and help to lower powerdrain, to actively manage media content and enhance battery life, asdetailed herein.

In one embodiment, the MM module 290 can reside within in the controller220, can reside within the memory 270, can be an autonomous module, canbe software, can be hardware, or can be in any other format useful for amodule on a wireless communication device 200. In one embodiment, theMedia Manager software with Applicant's fingerprinting feature, may evenreside on a network, such as network 110. It is not required for it toreside within the mobile communication device.

The display 240 can be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emittingdiode (LED) display, a plasma display, a touch screen display or anyother means for displaying information. The transceiver 250 may includea transmitter and/or a receiver. The audio input and output circuitry230 can include a microphone, a speaker, a transducer, or any otheraudio input and output circuitry. The user interface 260 can include akeypad, buttons, a touch screen or pad, a joystick, an additionaldisplay, or any other device useful for providing an interface between auser and an electronic device. The memory 270 may include a randomaccess memory, a read only memory, an optical memory or any other memorythat can be coupled to a wireless communication device.

In more detail, the wireless communication device 200 shown in FIG. 2,can include: a housing 210; a controller 220 coupled to the housing 210,the controller 220 configured to control the operations of the wirelesscommunication device, and to provide ancillary computing operationswhich may be unrelated to wireless communications such as audio or videoprocessing, application processing, etc.

Turning to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a wireless communication methodwith intelligent media management 300, is shown. In its simplest form,the method 300 can include: streaming 310 media content in a wirelesscommunication device; identifying 320 a media signature of the streamedmedia content; searching 330 a stored library for the identified mediasignature; and playing 340 locally stored media content, if the searchresults in finding a match with the identified media signature in thestored library.

Advantageously, when a match occurs, which may be defined as the searchresults in finding the identified media signature in the stored library,preferably a locally stored library, the method 300 proceeds to play 340locally stored media content (or replacement media content), instead ofthe streamed media content. Stated another way, when a match occurs thestreamed media content is replaced with locally stored media. This canprovide lower power consumption and enhance useful battery life in awireless communication device.

For example, a sample Motorola Bravo phone streaming audio content wasmeasured under normal conditions to consume about 97.6 mA of currentdrain, while using an external headset connection. The same sampleMotorola Bravo phone playing MP3 content consumed about 41.6 mA. Thus,as can be seen from this example, current drain of this Bravo cell phoneis lower when playing an MP3 audio file, from a locally stored library,as compared to streaming the same content. Accordingly, playing locallystored media content instead of streamed media content can result inover a 55% reduction in current drain.

Advantageously, a method that can replace streamed media content withlocal media content, can dramatically increase the useful life of arechargeable battery, thus delaying the need for a charge, which userswill welcome.

As used herein, the term media signature, has its common ordinarymeaning in the art. For example, a media signature generally includesreceiving a source of streaming media content for a short period oftime, analyzing it via a “fingerprinting” process, as detailed inWikipedia, and identifying it.

Multiple methods are available for “fingerprinting.” The descriptionherein is a high-level simplistic overview solely for the purpose ofproviding a brief description. The audio and/or video content may besampled in the time domain. These time samples are then compared to timesamples previously stored within a master library. In the event that oneof the time samples matches samples contained within the master library,then the time sample properties (song, composer, movie name, etc) couldbe inferred from the master library reference properties.

As used herein, the terminology “identifying a media signature” and“fingerprinting” of streamed media content, are used interchangeably andhave substantially similar meanings.

In one embodiment, the method 300 can discontinue the streaming of mediacontent while the locally stored media content or “replacement content”is played. This feature can help save power by only playing the locallystored media content, rather than playing the networked streamed versionof the identical content requiring the enablement of the radiotransceiver (250).

In one embodiment, the method 300 can provide a signal to a mediacontent provider that the streaming media content is continuing to bereceived, while the locally stored media content is played. This featureallows a device to play the locally stored media content, and return tothe streaming media content thereafter as if never leaving the streamwithout any interaction required from the user. For example, the signalcan appear to be an acknowledgement to a media content provider, despitethe fact that the device is actually playing the locally stored contentand not actually playing the streaming media content at that moment. Thedevice will likely return or default back to the streaming media contentafter the local media content has played.

Continuing, in a preferred embodiment, the method 300 can continue thestreaming of media content after the locally stored media content hasplayed. This feature allows a user, with his or her device, to continueto consume streaming media content in a seamless and uninterrupted wayafter the locally stored media content has played.

In connection with the searching step 330, it can include providing anindication that the search has successfully found a match of theidentified media signature in the locally stored library. This featurecan provide an indication to a user, such as on a display or userinterface, that a match has been found, and power savings is possible,by playing locally stored media content found in the locally storedlibrary. As should be understood, the indication to a user can be audio,haptic or visual, for example.

In one use case, the method 300 can include suspending the searchingstep 330 for a predetermined period. In this case, a user can disablethe method when there is a low likelihood that an identified mediasignature will be found in the locally stored library. This suspendingfeature can provide savings in power drain by also eliminating the needfor content fingerprinting since it is no longer necessary for normalmedia streaming. This feature allows a user to consume the streamingmedia content without interruption, if desired.

The suspension feature or step can be set or actuated in a number ofways, such as by programming a setting or profile, actuating a userinterface, such as a key or touch screen and the like. For example, whena user is playing certain music or video, and he or she knows suchcontent is not in the local library, he can suspend the operation, tosave power.

In another embodiment, the method 300 can include providing an indicatorthat locally stored media content is being played. This feature canprovide an indication to a user that locally stored media content isbeing played, thus providing lower power drain than when streaming.

The method 300 can include setting or programming a desired userinterface experience. This feature allows a user to program a desireduser experience, by for example down loading a pre-programmed or updateddesired look and feel media experience. The program or application inthe MM module 290 can include controlling and operating a userinterface, a touch screen display or display and key board. This featurecan provide personalized and reliable content management in connectionwith a wireless communication device, for example.

In connection with the identifying step 320, this step can includerecognizing an identifier. For example, streaming media content caninclude an identifier, such as an identifier header, a title, author,composer and the like. When these properties are available as part ofthe streamed content, then it is not necessary to “fingerprint” ascontent recognition is not required. The provided properties can then beused to search a locally stored library.

In another embodiment, in connection with the identifying step 320, whenthe identified media signature of the streamed media content identifiesan absence of streaming media content, the playing step can includeplaying substitute locally stored media content.

For example, when the identified media signature of the streamed mediacontent includes an absence of streaming media content or a “dead air”condition, the playing step can play substitute (or replacement) locallystored media content for a certain time.

For example, in one use case, when driving down a rural road andlistening to streaming music such as Pandora, a user can enter a deadzone. In this example, the method 300 can provide substitute locallystored media content, as programmed by a user. While continuing todrive, the user may subsequently enter a coverage area and the streamingmedia content could then resume as usual.

Also in connection with the identifying step 320, in another embodiment,when the media signature of the streamed media content is notrecognized, the searching step 330 can be temporarily terminated and theplaying step can include at least one of muting and playing substitutelocally stored media content. For example, when the media signature ofthe streamed media content is not recognized or identified, thesearching step 330 can be temporarily terminated and the playing stepcan include at least one of muting and playing substitute locally storedmedia content. When the streaming media content resumes, it can beplayed or if the search results in a match, locally stored media contentcan be played.

In another use case a user may be streaming content. Should the“fingerprinting” of the content result in a determination that thatcontent is un-identified or undesired (as may be the case withcommercial advertisements within the content), then the MM module couldreplace the undesired content with substitutive material. The user couldreplace this undesired content with alternative pre-determined content,other random content, or simply mute the undesired content entirely(replacing it with no content).

Turning to FIG. 2, the locally stored library can include at least oneof memory in the wireless communication device, such as memory 270 and292 and external locally stored library (memory) 287 linked to thewireless communication device 200. The link can be a direct wiredconnection 288 via a connector 286, or a wireless connection 289, shownby dashed line in FIG. 2, such as by use of near field communication,Bluetooth and the like.

For example, the locally stored library can include an external locallystored library 287 or external memory devices, such as memory stick,server and the like coupled to the wireless communication device 200 viaconnector 286.

Thus, in one embodiment, the stored library can include a locally storedlibrary and/or a remote stored library. The remote stored library caninclude, for example, a connection to a remote server and/or connectionto a network with memory.

In connection with streaming media content, such content can varywidely. For example, it can also include at least one of audio content,video content, digital content, broadcast content, amplitude modulated(AM) content, frequency modulated (FM) content, digital data, stillvideo, pictures, text and portraits.

For example, in a case where a user is streaming media content providedvia an AM radio link, this content may be degraded by noise, astypically associated with AM broadcast content. However, via the“fingerprinting” process and the MM module, as detailed herein,substitution with a locally stored replacement content can be playedinstead.

The fidelity or quality, of the degraded original broadcast isessentially replaced with a higher quality low-noise replacement ofidentical content. In this case the user not only appreciates the lowerpower drain that may be available, they also enjoy a high fidelity,higher quality replay of substantially equivalent content.

In another case, the streamed content may consist of multiple portions.For instance a portion of the content may be photographs (in a form suchas JPEG files), while another portion may consist of textual content(consisting of text or other arbitrary content).

Should a portion of the overall streamed content be recognizable via the“fingerprinting” method, then benefits could be realized by replacingthat recognizable content with locally stored content instead therebyrealizing the same benefits as previously described.

Referring back to FIG. 2, a wireless communication device 200 withintelligent media management is shown. In one embodiment, the device 200can include: a housing 210; a controller 220 coupled to the housing 210,the controller 220 configured to control the operations of a wirelesscommunication device; a transceiver 250 configured to receive wirelesscommunication including media content; and a media manager module 290configured to: identify a media signature of the media content; search astored library for the identified media signature; and play locallystored media content, if the search results in finding a match with theidentified media signature in the stored library. Advantageously, when amatch occurs, locally stored media is played replacing the mediacontent, such as streamed media content, to lower power consumption andresulting in extending useful battery life in a portable device.

In one embodiment, the media manager module 290 is configured to providea signal to a media content provider that the streaming media content iscontinuing to be received, while the locally stored media content isactually being played. This feature allows a device to play the locallystored media content, and return to the streaming media contentthereafter, as previously detailed.

In another embodiment, the media manager module 290 is configured toprovide a desired user interface experience. This feature allows a userto program a desired user interface experience, as previously detailed.

In an alternate embodiment, when the media signature of the streamedmedia content is not recognized by the media manager module 290, thesearch step is temporarily terminated and the playing can include atleast one of muting and playing substitute locally stored media content.For example, when the media signature of the streamed media content isnot recognized or identified, the searching step can be temporarilyterminated and the playing step can include at least one of muting andplaying substitute locally stored media content. When the streamingmedia content resumes, by identifying the media signature of thestreamed media content, the streaming media content can then resumebeing played and if the search results in finding the identified mediasignature in the locally stored library, locally stored media contentcan be played.

In one arrangement, the locally stored library includes at least one ofmemory in the wireless communication device 200, such as in memory 270and 292 and memory linkable to the wireless communication device 200,such as external locally stored library 287, as shown in FIG. 2, forexample. For example, the locally stored library can include memory ofexternal devices, such as memory sticks, servers and the like coupledwith the wireless communication device 200. The locally stored librarycan include a wired connection 288 with use of a connector 286, forexample, and a wireless connection 289, to the wireless communicationdevice 200.

The MM module 290 can include a program loadable and customizable by auser, by downloading a software program, adjusting a setting andinputting information in a profile, for example. Advantageously, a usercan load an application through a USB connection, or download a programor update on the wireless communication device 200. Similarly, upgradesand customizations can be loaded in any customary way.

The MM module 290 can be programmed to automatically take immediatepower reduction measures, by suspending operation or adjusting certainapplications and functions, based on information programmed by a user ora profile set by a user, for example.

A user can be offered a pre-configured profile to allow selection of aprofile that is close to a user's expectations of how the device shouldwork, for enhancing streaming management and consumption of mediacontent.

Advantageously, this method allows a user to actively, manually orautomatically, and intelligently manage streaming media content andpower drain of an energy storage device.

The device 200 and method 300 are preferably implemented on a programmedprocessor. However, the controllers, flowcharts, and modules may also beimplemented on a general purpose or special purpose computer, aprogrammed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integratedcircuit elements, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logiccircuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmable logic device,or the like. In general, any device on which resides a finite statemachine capable of implementing the flowcharts shown in the figures maybe used to implement the processor functions of this disclosure.

While this disclosure has been described with specific embodimentsthereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example,various components of the embodiments may be interchanged, added, orsubstituted in the other embodiments. Also, all of the elements of eachfigure are not necessary for operation of the disclosed embodiments. Forexample, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodimentswould be enabled to make and use the teachings of the disclosure bysimply employing the elements of the independent claims.

Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the disclosure as set forthherein are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changesmay be made without departing from the spirit and scope of thedisclosure.

In this document, relational terms such as “first,” “second,” and thelike may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from anotherentity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actualsuch relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms“comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intendedto cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method,article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not includeonly those elements but may include other elements not expressly listedor inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An elementproceeded by “a,” “an,” or the like does not, without more constraints,preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Also, the term“another” is defined as at least a second or more. The terms“including,” “having,” and the like, as used herein, are defined as“comprising.”

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for presenting media content,comprising: receiving, using a hardware processor of a wirelesscommunication device, at least a portion of a media content item via acontent stream from a media content provider; determining that a versionof the media content item corresponding to at least the portion of themedia content item received via the content stream is stored in a memorydevice coupled to the hardware processor; in response to determiningthat the version of the media content item is stored in the memorydevice, inhibiting reception of the content stream from the mediacontent provider in the wireless communication device and transmitting asignal to the media content provider that the media content item iscontinuing to be received from the media content provider; playing theversion of the media content item stored in the memory device in lieu ofthe streaming media content item from the media content provider;determining that presentation of the version of the media content itemstored in the memory device has ended; in response to determining thatpresentation of the version of the media content item stored in thememory device has ended, resuming reception of the content stream fromthe media content provider; and playing the received content stream. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: presenting an indicator thata locally stored version of media content is being played in response toplaying the media content item stored in the memory device in lieu ofthe streaming media content item; and inhibiting presentation of theindicator in response to playing the received content stream.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: identifying a media signature ofat least the portion of the media content item received via the contentstream; and wherein determining that the version of the media contentitem is stored in local memory coupled to the hardware processorcomprises determining that a media signature of the version of the mediacontent item matches the media signature of the media content itemreceived via the content stream.
 4. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: determining one or more identifiers of the media contentitem corresponding to at least the portion of the media content itemreceived via the content stream based on information received as part ofthe content stream; and wherein determining that the version of themedia content item is stored in the memory device coupled to thehardware processor comprises determining that one or more identifiers ofthe media content item stored in the memory device matches the one ormore identifiers of the media content item received via the contentstream.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the content stream includes atleast one of audio content, video content, broadcast content, amplitudemodulated content and frequency modulated content.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: receiving user input indicating that theplaying of media content stored in the memory device in lieu of mediacontent items included in the content stream is to be inhibited; andinhibiting the version of the media content item stored in the memorydevice from being played regardless of whether the version of the mediacontent item corresponding to at least the portion of the media contentitem received via the content stream is also stored in the memorydevice.
 7. A wireless communication device for presenting media content,comprising: a hardware processor that is programmed to: receive at leasta portion of a media content item via a content stream from a mediacontent provider; determine that a version of the media content itemcorresponding to at least the portion of the media content item receivedvia the content stream is stored in a memory device coupled to thehardware processor; in response to determining that the version of themedia content item is stored in the memory device, inhibit reception ofthe content stream from the media content provider in the wirelesscommunication device and transmitting a signal to the media contentprovider that the media content item is continuing to be received fromthe media content provider; play the version of the media content itemstored in the memory device in lieu of the streaming media content itemfrom the media content provider; determine that presentation of theversion of the media content item stored in the memory device has ended;in response to determining that presentation of the version of the mediacontent item stored in the memory device has ended, resume reception ofthe content stream from the media content provider; and play thereceived content stream.
 8. The wireless communication device of claim7, wherein the hardware processor is further programmed to: present anindicator that a locally stored version of media content is being playedin response to playing the media content item stored in the memorydevice in lieu of the streaming media content item; and inhibitpresentation of the indicator in response to playing the receivedcontent stream.
 9. The wireless communication device of claim 7, whereinthe hardware processor is further programmed to: identifying a mediasignature of at least the portion of the media content item received viathe content stream; and determine that a media signature of the versionof the media content item matches the media signature of the mediacontent item received via the content stream.
 10. The wirelesscommunication device of claim 7, wherein the hardware processor isfurther programmed to: determine one or more identifiers of the mediacontent item corresponding to at least the portion of the media contentitem received via the content stream based on information received aspart of the content stream; and determine that one or more identifiersof the media content item stored in the memory device matches the one ormore identifiers of the media content item received via the contentstream.
 11. The wireless communication device of claim 7, wherein thecontent stream includes at least one of audio content, video content,broadcast content, amplitude modulated content and frequency modulatedcontent.
 12. The wireless communication device of claim 7, wherein thehardware processor is further programmed to: receive user inputindicating that the playing of media content stored in the memory devicein lieu of media content items included in the content stream is to beinhibited; and inhibit the version of the media content item stored inthe memory device from being played regardless of whether the version ofthe media content item corresponding to at least the portion of themedia content item received via the content stream is also stored in thememory device.
 13. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containingcomputer executable instructions that, when executed by a processor,cause the processor to perform a method for presenting media content,the method comprising: receiving, by a wireless communication device, atleast a portion of a media content item via a content stream from amedia content provider; determining that a version of the media contentitem corresponding to at least the portion of the media content itemreceived via the content stream is stored in a memory device coupled tothe hardware processor; in response to determining that the version ofthe media content item is stored in the memory device, inhibitingreception of the content stream from the media content provider in thewireless communication device and transmitting a signal to the mediacontent provider that the media content item is continuing to bereceived from the media content provider; playing the version of themedia content item stored in the memory device in lieu of the streamingmedia content item from the media content provider; determining thatpresentation of the version of the media content item stored in thememory device has ended; in response to determining that presentation ofthe version of the media content item stored in the memory device hasended, resuming reception of the content stream from the media contentprovider; and playing the received content stream.
 14. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the methodfurther comprises: presenting an indicator that a locally stored versionof media content is being played in response to playing the mediacontent item stored in the memory device in lieu of the streaming mediacontent item; and inhibiting presentation of the indicator in responseto playing the received content stream.
 15. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method furthercomprises: identifying a media signature of at least the portion of themedia content item received via the content stream; and whereindetermining that the version of the media content item is stored inlocal memory coupled to the hardware processor comprises determiningthat a media signature of the version of the media content item matchesthe media signature of the media content item received via the contentstream.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13,wherein the method further comprises: determining one or moreidentifiers of the media content item corresponding to at least theportion of the media content item received via the content stream basedon information received as part of the content stream; and whereindetermining that the version of the media content item is stored in thememory device coupled to the hardware processor comprises determiningthat one or more identifiers of the media content item stored in thememory device matches the one or more identifiers of the media contentitem received via the content stream.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the content streamincludes at least one of audio content, video content, broadcastcontent, amplitude modulated content and frequency modulated content.18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein themethod further comprises: receiving user input indicating that theplaying of media content stored in the memory device in lieu of mediacontent items included in the content stream is to be inhibited; andinhibiting the version of the media content item stored in the memorydevice from being played regardless of whether the version of the mediacontent item corresponding to at least the portion of the media contentitem received via the content stream is also stored in the memorydevice.